Cover for prestressed concrete member

ABSTRACT

A cover includes a body adapted to secure over a fitting disposed in a prestressed concrete member for lifting the concrete member. The body has a surface feature configured to achieve a substantially fluid tight seal with the concrete member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to components for use with moldable building materials, and more specifically to covers for use with concrete members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cover including a body adapted to secure over a fitting disposed in a prestressed concrete member for lifting the concrete member. The body has a surface feature configured to achieve a substantially fluid tight seal with the concrete member.

The present invention further relates to a cover including a body adapted to secure over a fitting disposed in a prestressed concrete member for lifting the concrete member. The body has a surface feature configured to achieve a substantially fluid tight seal with the concrete member and a raised portion opposite the surface feature.

The present invention yet further relates to a cover including a body adapted to secure over a fitting disposed in a prestressed concrete member for lifting the concrete member or for temporarily securing an object to the concrete member. The body having a surface feature configured to achieve a substantially fluid tight seal with the concrete member.

An advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that the cover can quickly and easily be installed.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a known lifting fitting installed in a concrete structure.

FIG. 2 is an embodiment of a cover of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a cover of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are bottom perspective views of respective cover embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a cross section of an embodiment of a cover of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7-10 are enlarged portions of alternate cover embodiments taken from region 7 of FIG. 6 of the present disclosure.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 2-5 show an embodiment of a cover 20 for use with concrete structures. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, a structural concrete member 10, such as a prestressed concrete panel comprising a building façade, include inserts or fittings 12, such as those manufactured by Meadow Burke of Tampa, Fla., for lifting concrete member 10. Fitting 12 includes an interface 14 for engaging lifting equipment (not shown) used to lift concrete member 10 into position. Covers 20 are configured for securing over fitting 12 to prevent damage to concrete member 10, as exposed fittings can otherwise fill with liquid precipitation and later freeze. Alternately, in warmer climates, a water-filled fitting 12 may provide a breeding ground for vermin.

FIG. 1 shows fitting 12 of the type that is temporarily affixed to a surface of a form prior to the pouring of concrete into the form, which poured concrete becoming concrete member 10 by virtue of subsequent curing. Techniques for prestressing the concrete panels to permit lifting and installation are known and not further discussed herein. Cover 20 of the present disclosure is configured to be secured over the portion of fitting 12 that is exposed to the outside environment, including interface 14. It is to be understood that other types of fittings may be installed in concrete members subsequent to curing. For example, a void may be formed in the concrete member as a result of an object affixed to the form, or a bore formed in a concrete member after curing, such as by a masonry drill bit. A suitable fitting is then inserted into the void and secured therein for temporarily securing an object to the concrete member. In such instances, cover 20 may be configured to not only be secured over the fitting, but also secured over the bore or void which is necessarily larger than the fitting to permit insertion of the fitting in the void or bore.

As further shown in FIGS. 2-5, cover 20 includes a body 22 having a surface feature 24. In one embodiment, body 22 is sufficiently sized to overlay fitting 12 (FIG. 1) and a bore or void, if applicable, as previously discussed. In one embodiment, surface feature 24 achieves a substantially fluid tight seal with the concrete member by establishing a conformal contact with the corresponding surface of the concrete member 10 surrounding fitting 12 (FIG. 1). Since many concrete members have substantially planar surfaces at least locally surrounding fittings 12, in one embodiment, surface feature 24 is also substantially planar.

As shown in FIGS. 6-10 such conformal contact may be achieved with a rib 40, or alternately, multiple ribs (not shown), that extend(s) substantially continuously along body 22. In an alternate embodiment, a portion of body 22 adjacent surface feature 24 is formed having enhanced resiliency as compared to the remainder of body 22. This resilient portion 46 (FIG. 10), which may be of unitary construction with body 22, forms a conformal contact with the concrete member. In another alternate embodiment, a layer of adhesive material 44 (FIG. 9), such as caulk or double-sided adhesive tape, may be used to achieve a substantially fluid tight seal with the concrete member. In another embodiment, surface feature 24 includes a recess 42 formed in body 22 that may be filled with adhesive material (not shown). It is to be understood that each of these embodiments may include an application of adhesive material 44, if desired, providing not only an improved seal, but also providing a technique to secure the cover to the concrete member without fasteners. However, if desired, cover 20 may be configured to receive mechanical fasteners, such as by forming apertures (not shown) in body 22.

In one embodiment, cover 20 is formed of a suitable resilient material, such as plastic, non-metals or other non-corroding material, although certain metals and metallic alloys may also be suitable. In another embodiment, cover 20 may contain a pigment similar to that of the concrete member so as to effectively camouflage the cover.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, body 22 includes a raised portion 26 disposed opposite surface feature 24 that helps facilitate the flow of condensation from body 22 and away from fitting 12 (FIG. 1).

As shown in FIGS. 3-6, body 22 includes a protruding portion 28 configured to engage fitting 12 (FIG. 1) to help locate body 22 with respect to the fitting in order to achieve a substantially fluid tight seal. In one embodiment, protruding portion 28 includes a taper 30. As further shown in FIG. 3, taper 30 subtends an angular displacement 38 with respect to a reference plane 36 that is disposed perpendicular to surface feature 24. In another embodiment, protruding portion 28 includes a discontinuity 34, permitting cover 20 to more easily be installed by providing a reduced insertion force. That is, by virtue of discontinuity 34, when cover 20 is directed toward an installed position over a fitting 12 (FIG. 1) and upon contact of tapered edges 30 of protruding portion 28, discontinuity 34 acts as a bending region that reduces insertion forces associated with the cover. In yet a further embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a recessed region 32 is disposed between protruding portion 28 and surface feature 24, and in one embodiment, both surface feature 24 and recessed region 32 substantially surround protruding portion 28. The separation between surface feature 24 and protruding portion 28 provided by recessed region 32 provides improved independent movement therebetween, which likewise provides an improved capability of the body 22 to achieve conformal contact with concrete member 10 (FIG. 1).

In another embodiment, body 22 is not sufficiently sized to overlay fitting 12 (FIG. 1) and a bore or void, as previously discussed. That is, a surface feature 48 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is associated with protruding portion 28 so that surface feature 48 achieves a substantially fluid tight seal with the concrete member 10 (FIG. 1) without requiring a substantially fluid tight seal along surface feature 24. However, in yet another embodiment, body 22 is sufficiently sized to overlay fitting 12 (FIG. 1), so that either or both surface features 24, 48 may form a substantially fluid tight seal with concrete member 10.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A cover comprising: a body comprising: a surface feature configured to achieve a substantially fluid tight seal with the a concrete member having a void with a fitting disposed therein; and a protrusion extending from the body and configured to engage the void; wherein the body is adapted to secure over the fitting disposed in a the void and engage the void for lifting the concrete member.
 2. The cover of claim 1, wherein the surface feature includes a layer of adhesive material.
 3. The cover of claim 1, wherein the surface feature is a substantially planar region.
 4. The cover of claim 1, wherein the surface feature includes a rib.
 5. The cover of claim 1, wherein the surface feature extends substantially continuously along the body.
 6. The cover of claim 1, wherein the surface feature extends outwardly from the body.
 7. The cover of claim 1, wherein the surface feature forms a recess in the body.
 8. The cover of claim 1, wherein the body includes a raised portion opposite the surface feature.
 9. The cover of claim 1, wherein the protrusion comprises a discontinuity configured to bend and reduce insertion force required to engage the void.
 10. The cover of claim 9, wherein the protrusion includes a taper.
 11. The cover of claim 10, wherein the body includes a recessed region substantially surrounding the protrusion, the recessed region disposed between the protruding portion and the surface feature.
 12. The cover of claim 1, wherein the body contains a pigment similar to a pigment of the concrete member.
 13. The cover of claim 1, wherein the body is composed of a resilient material.
 14. The cover of claim 1, wherein the body is composed of a nonmetal.
 15. The cover of claim 14, wherein a portion of the body adjacent the surface feature is resilient.
 16. A cover comprising: a body adapted to secure over a fitting disposed in a void of in a prestressed concrete member for lifting the prestressed concrete member, the body comprising: a surface feature configured to achieve a substantially fluid tight seal with the prestressed concrete member; a protrusion portion extending from the body and configured to engage the void; and a raised portion opposite the surface feature.
 17. The cover of claim 16, wherein the surface feature includes a layer of adhesive material.
 18. (canceled)
 19. The cover of claim 16, wherein the body includes a recessed region substantially surrounding protruding portion, the recessed region disposed between the protruding portion and the surface feature.
 20. A cover comprising a body adapted to secure over a fitting disposed in a void of a concrete member for temporarily securing an object to the concrete member, the body comprising: a surface feature configured to achieve a substantially fluid tight seal with the concrete member a protrusion extending from the body and configured to engage the void. 